No compromise on Manipur's territorial integrity: Sambit Patra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 14 2025: In an interview to news agencies ANI and PTI, BJP MP Sambit Patra on Friday asserted Manipur's territorial integrity would remain intact and vowed his party's commitment to restoring peace in the region.

Following the imposition of President s Rule in Manipur, Sam-bit Patra, who is also the north east-in-charge of BJP, emphasised the party's dedication to maintaining stability in the conflict-hit state.

He said illegal infiltration into Manipur would be dealt with a severe hand, as security was heightened in the state capital Imphal on Friday, amid political instability and ethnic tensions.

No compromise on Manipur's territorial integrity: Sambit Patra

"After the report by the Governor of Manipur, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has put the state assembly under suspended animation, meaning it can be revived as and when the President of India deems fit, depending on circumstances," the ANI quoted Patra as saying.

"As far as the BJP is concerned, we are committed to the continuing efforts of peace in the state and to maintaining the territorial integrity of Manipur," he added.

Reiterating the BJP's stance on national security, Patra said, "There will be no compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Any kind of illegal infiltration will not be allowed and will be dealt with a severe hand" .

On the other-hand, a PTI report said that Sambit Patra, the BJP's northeast region in-charge, affirmed his party's commitment to continuous efforts to maintain peace and normalcy in the state, which has been hit by months-long violence between Meeteis and Kukis arid remains polarised along ethnic lines.

"I repeat, as far as the territorial integrity of Manipur is concerned, there will be no compromise with it," the Puri MP added.

With some Kuki groups demanding a separate state, Pa-tra's reassertion of the BJP's stand against it will reassure the Meeteis, who are in a majority but have been raising concerns over a host of issues, including alleged demographic imbalance, and are vehemently opposed to any division of Manipur.

He noted that the assembly had not been dissolved but kept in a suspended animation, meaning that the formation of a new state government remained a possibility.

The BJP continues to enjoy a comfortable majority in the assembly but the sharpening of ethnic differences meant the party's search for a consensus candidate to replace N Biren Singh, who resigned as chief minister a few days ago, remained futile.

President Droupadi Murmu imposed President's Rule in Manipur on Thursday under Article 356 of the Constitution, following a report from the state's Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The decision effectively suspends the state assembly's authority, transferring its powers to parliament.

The state's administration will be directly controlled by the President through the Governor.

The proclamation, published in the Gazette of India issued by the Union Home Ministry, states that the powers of the Manipur legislative assembly will be transferred to parliament, effectively suspending the state government's authority.

President's Rule can last up to six months, subject to parliamentary approval.

During this period, governance will be overseen by the central government, with the possibility of fresh elections being called to restore democratic functioning in the state.

The move came days after N Biren Singh resigned from his post as the chief minister on February 9.His resignation came amid violence and political instability that had plagued the state for nearly two years.

The unrest in Manipur primarily involves clashes between the Meetei community and the Kuki tribes, fuelled by disputes over economic benefits, job quotas, and land rights.

The violence resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of approximately 60,000 people.

The Union Home Ministry granted 'Z' category CRPF security cover to Sambit Patra in Manipur.